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For nearly two decades, the Blowin' Smoke
Rhythm ‘N’ Blues Band has been one of the most
in-demand, successful groups on the Southern
California live music circuit. Front and center in
Blowin' Smoke is its creator, bandleader/bassist/
vocalist, and longtime San Fernando Valley resident Larry "Fuzzy" Knight - whose impressive musical resume' includes a decade-plus stint as bassist for one of the great SoCal bands to emerge
from the psychedelic era of the Sixties,
Spirit. Knight has also recently launched a new
band project, Sky King, featuring some top-name
musicians, all the while keeping Blowin' Smoke
going strong.
Blues E-News writer Doug Deutsch (DD) recently interviewed Larry “Fuzzy” Knight
about his storied career and what musical adventures lay ahead. Here’s how
it went.
DD: When did you first start in
the music business, and what
was the first band and/or music
project you were associated
with?
LFK: I began playing blues guitar
in St. Louis (where I was born)
at the age of 15 (around 19591960) I was lucky enough to
hear the legends (before they
were legends) on KATZ, Sweet
16 (Black) Radio that would
broadcast ‘live’ from different nightclubs at night featuring bands such as Albert King,
Ike Turner and the Kings of
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Rhythm, Little Milton, and Chuck Berry. I used to
sneak into the clubs because I was underage and
eventually started sitting in with the bands and
soon I was offered a
gig playing with
Billy
Gayles,
who
had recorded a hit record with Ike Turner called,
“Tore Up”. We played six nights a week near
downtown St. Louis. My musical background
started in school where I learned to read music
and I played violin (all through my entire schooled
education) and eventually, viola, French horn and
the upright double bass. Mom helped me purchase my first guitar, along with an electric bass
from McMurray Music in St. Louis. With my
schooled music education, I taught myself guitar
and electric bass. All through school, I had my
own bands that played at school dances, half-time
at basketball games, and whatever events that
would come up for kids to go to for dancing. It
seems as if I have played music all through my entire life. My early bands in St. Louis were, The Galaxies, The Upsetters, and PAX.
DD: According to your bio, you were a member
(bassist) of famed Southern California sixties era
band, Spirit. How did that come to be?
LFK: I migrated to Los Angeles
in
late 1969, after
being
drafted
and serving two
years in the U.S.
Army. I brought
a band from St.
Louis (PAX) out
here that I left for
the opportunity to
play lead guitar with Delaney, Bonnie & Friends. Eventually that group broke up, but I used
to go out to an area called Agoura when I wasn’t
touring and on the weekends many musicians
would get together and jam on an outside stage
for two days straight. Many musicians from the
Topanga Canyon area would be there, some from
Canned Heat, Booker T, Black Oak Arkansas, Bruce
Gary (eventual drummer for The Knack) and
Randy California and Ed ‘Cass’ Cassidy. I had the
most fun playing with Randy and Ed. Every time
we played together, it was like ‘magic’. Our jams
were like Cream and Hendrix. SPIRIT was in a
state of disarray at that time and Randy had asked
me if I would go out on tour with him, Cass and
John Locke (keyboardist). I did and our shows
were fantastic. I started recording with Randy on
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his first solo album as well, “Captain Kopter and the
Fabulous Twirlybirds” which became a big hit album
in Europe. Before I knew it (about a year and a half
later) we were on our way to Europe for an extensive tour that lasted nearly eighteen months. Not
only was I a member of the band but I was offered
an equal business partnership in the band along
with Randy and Cass. So began my era with SPIRIT
that lasted from 1969 all the way through 1981
(with time out here and there to raise my family
and run a successful music company as well for seventeen years).
DD: Let’s discuss your band Blowin’ Smoke, who has
been together and gigging regularly for an amazing
seventeen years now here in Southern California.
What’s your secret for longevity?
LFK: The band, Blowin’ Smoke Rhythm & Blues Revue featuring the Fabulous Smokettes, was created
over seventeen years ago. My early experiences of
going to see artists like Ray Charles, Wilson
Pickett, James Brown, Ike Turner, etc. in St. Louis
while I was learning my craft inspired me to no
ends. They all had ‘big shows’; MC’s, featured horn
sections, featured singers, dancing….it was an experience that I never forgot. I wanted to recreate
that experience but with all of my influences
thrown into the mix for our young and older audiences to enjoy. Many young music lovers never had
the opportunity to see shows like the ones that I did
so I am dedicated to give them great music, played
by the best musicians and sung by the best vocalists
on the West Coast. What distinguishes Blowin’
Smoke Shows is the amazing amount of blues, R&B
and rock energies that are melded together and delivered with intensity with every song performed. I
guess you would have to compare me with John
Mayall in regards to bringing the best talent to the
band year after year. Even though the musicians
and vocalists have not remained the same from day
one, the level of perfection is to continually ‘raise
the bar’ on performance, soloing, ensemble playing,
vocals and audience participation! More than anything else, Blowin’ Smoke Shows are fun… and that
what keeps the band fresh and happening!
DD: Four members of Blowin’ Smoke were used on
two songs in “The Sapphires” movie. Tell us more
about this?
LFK: Myself, guitarist David Raven; drummer Don
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Littleton; and keyboardist John “JT” Thomas, performed two songs, “Burnt Biscuits” and
“Hush” (each originally recorded by Booker T. &
The MG’s and Deep Purple, respectively) in the
film. The four of us are the Blowin’ Smoke rhythm
section. This is so cool because the movie is a hit!
It was just released domestically in March. It’s an
inspirational tale set in the late ‘60s about a quartet of young, talented singers from a remote Aboriginal mission, discovered and guided by a kindhearted, soul-loving manager.
DD: You also have a new music project called Sky
King. Fill us in on this?
LFK: ”Sky King” is my latest music project. I was
fortunate to meet a guitarist/singer/songwriter
from Columbus, Ohio, now living in Los Angeles by
the name of Walter Morosko, about two years
ago. I was intrigued by his original songs, especially the lyrics. We started playing and working
on the basic structures of the songs and I re-wrote
thirteen of the originals with him. It’s taken about
a year or so to record all the songs and they are in
the mastering stage right now. I play bass on all
the tracks, sing lead and background harmonies,
musically arranged the entire group of songs and
produced the new CD, titled, ”Morose Tales From
The Left Coast.” Sky King has provided another
outlet for me to introduce original songs that are
nothing like the Blowin’ Smoke Band and to work
with a smaller group of musicians. I am overseeing the cover design, which will be original artwork and the inside booklet that will feature the
lyrics to all thirteen tracks. This is going to be an
exciting band to see ‘live’ as well. There are
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some really great musicians who have added their
own very ‘ special sauce ‘ to the recording: Jimmy
“Z” (formerly with Rod Stewart, The Eurythmics,
and Etta James) on tenor sax, flute, harmonica;
Lee Thornberg (Bruce Springsteen, others) on
trumpet and trombone; John “JT” Thomas (Bruce
Hornsby Band) on all keyboards.
DD: Looking ahead, what is your five-year plan for
success (for) both Blowin’ Smoke and Sky King?
LFK: My five-year plan for both Sky King and
Blowin’ Smoke starts with myself. What I mean
by that is to take care of my health. Being in good
shape with a clear, sharp mind is step number one
for me. The old saying, “You’re not getting any
younger” might apply, however, I’m still ready to
rock ‘n roll so I just need to live the healthy lifestyle. Once I’ve got that down then I can apply
myself to my musical endeavors. I would like to
see the talented musicians in “Sky King” put out
another two to three CDs over the next five years
as well as tour on a regular basis. Taking the band
to Europe is a must do. I would also like to integrate the Blowin’ Smoke Revue on the same
shows as “Sky King’ and feature both bands in
concert. Blowin’ Smoke would also be featured on
European shows as well. Basically, it’s pretty
much as the Mel Brooks character said in “Blazing
Saddles”………..work, work, work !!!!!! Keeping
busy, keep planning, stay dedicated and keep
looking forward to new musical adventures. That’s what is has always been for me and I
plan to keep on, keepin’ on !!!